FAREWELL BUFFON.

Football has been a source of joy for plenty of African kids who seem to naturally have a kind of attachment to the game. Sharp Football Academy has been operating since the final year of the past century and has in the process helped sharpen young talents who can nowadays claim to be professional footballers.

Having joined the academy in mid-2009, Abdiraqib A. alias Buffon, has been a member of the academy for a complete 12 years. When he joined the academy he played for the U-12 and assumed the role of a goalkeeper. It was during this period that he gained the nickname Buffon which has stuck to him till this very date. Despite having cat like reflexes, Buffon had an urge to play infield and in particular play a role of ball distribution.

7 years into the academy, he was given the chance to play in field as a box-to-box midfielder. Being a former goalkeeper, the lad is rather good at long passes and has pinpoint accuracy. With the role that he plays in the team, Buffon is more of a playmaker than a goal scorer but he still has his moments when it comes to dead balls where he can whip in a freekick to your top corner from 28 yards out. Inclusive of this art, his ball skills are off the chart whereby he looks like a dancer floating on top of the ball as he dribbles past an opponent.

On 8th September 2021, Buffon played his final game for Sharp United FC where he managed to score his final goal for the team, he had captained for 4years whereby, his screamer helped the squad pull a 1-1 draw against Jericho AllStars who put up an equal fight. It was an emotional game as the opponents were also wowed with his consistent performance and umph throughout the match.

Buffon was loved by many and was generally a man of the people. This could be seen by the love fans and fellow team mates showed during his farewell match. Buffon is set to relocate to the United States where he will join a new team and hope to accomplish his child hood dreams of playing in elite clubs and also representing his country in international competitions.

From the team and management, we say; Inshallah! Thank you Buffon, & Shine on your way.